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Councilmember Riley referenced the language related to County ditches and the City’s ability to <br />access that. He stated that if the maintenance were the City’s responsibility, he would question <br />why the City would not have access to it. <br />City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby replied that some of the ponds are older, some are <br />fenced in, and some may not have easements in place. He recognized that the City does now <br />require easements for ponds, but many of the ponds have been in place for longer than that practice <br />existed. He commented that this language is very general in nature and would be reviewed by the <br />City Attorney before moving to the City Council. <br />Councilmember Riley asked why the City would maintain a County ditch. <br />City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby replied there are some ditches that the City has <br />acquired maintenance obligations on over the years, such as Ditch 66. He confirmed that the City <br />funds the maintenance responsibility for those ditches. <br />Councilmember Riley referenced section 7, inspections, and noted that inspecting five percent <br />each year would mean it would take 20 years to fully complete inspections. <br />City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby confirmed that is accurate. He stated staff wanted <br />to begin conservatively because of the scope of work that may be needed and the cost to dredge a <br />pond and dispose of the material as the dredged material is considered to be contaminated. He <br />reiterated that staff would continue to see how the policy operates and whether amendments would <br />be needed in the future, which could include increasing that percentage once staff better <br />understands the scope of the work that may be necessary and the related costs. He explained that <br />inspections are related to surveying and acknowledged that they could increase that percentage if <br />that is found to be feasible. <br />Assistant City Engineer Feriancek explained that they would not want to survey/inspect too far <br />ahead of the improvement to be completed as the conditions would change. <br />Chairperson Musgrove stated that some of the ponds are newerand would have data, which would <br />decrease the overall number that would need to be inspected and most likely have work completed. <br />She appreciated the work that has been done, noting that this will benefit the city and that taxpayers <br />have been paying taxes into the stormwater fund for this purposeso we need to start this work. <br />She also appreciates that estimated costs are being developed to help understand future needs and <br />potential funding sources. <br />Motion by Councilmember Howell,seconded by Councilmember Riley, to recommend that the <br />City Council adopt the Stormwater Management Facilities Maintenance Policy, contingent upon <br />review by the City Attorney and taking into account the comments made the committee tonight. <br /> <br />Further discussion: Councilmember Riley asked if staff is comfortable moving this forward or <br />wanted more time. City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby confirmed that he is ready to <br />move forward and acknowledged that staff will continue to bring revisions forward as they use the <br />policy. <br />Public Works Committee / September 17, 2024 <br />Page 6 of 12 <br /> <br />